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Game #7 Preview: Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Chicago_bulls_logo_tiny by chgobr on

[Note by ed., 11/08/08 2:25 PM CST  - Thanks to chgobr for tonight's game preview. What a game last night, huh? Bulls were able to force TOs and run like mad. It'll be interesting to see if it carries over, especially considering how they just played this Cavs team and looked completely different.]

If you want a great preview of the Cleveland Cavaliers read the excellent arjoseph's previous Cavalier Preview. 

Tonight is about winning two games in a row.  If my calculation is correct last year we won two games in a row only five times.  I do not think we won three games in a row all year. The five times we won two games in a row none of them involved winning two games against top teams.  Here are the five times we won two games in a row 2007-8. 

  1. 11/27, 12/1 Hawks Bobcats
  2. 12/5, 12/7 Bobcats Pistons
  3. 12/28, 12/30 Bucks, Knicks
  4. 3/4, 3/6 Griz and Cavs
  5. 4/14, 4/16 Bucks Raptors

Only the Cavs and Pistons could be considered good teams. If we win tonight it would be a really nice two game win streak against quality teams.  That being said I have seen our team shoot well, look good and win games only to look terrible the next game.  When we shoot well as we did last night 40-77 at 51.9% we look good.  Phoenix also seemed like they were in a fog.  I am in a "show-me" mood with the Bulls.

Cleveland is 4-2 and appears to be able to turn it on in the fourth quarter.  They scored 40 points in the fourth last night against Milwaukee.  Mo Williams is also becoming a factor scoring 21 points.  Cleveland is playing well having won three straight games.  Two in a row will not be easy.

Despite my skeptism there is a reason, a Rose, to keep me coming back for more.  We still have a way to go to jell as a unit.  I am hoping the Bulls figure our who they are and play better as the sum of their parts than indivudually. 

Two in a row 11/7 and 11/8 works for me!

TV/radio: 7:30 p.m. Saturday; CSN, WMVP-AM 1000.

Enemy info:  MVN, Cleveland Cavaliers Blog, Cavaliers Corner  Fear the Sword

FanPosts are user-created posts from the BlogABull community, and are to be treated as the opinions and views of that particular user, not that of the blogger or blog community as a whole.

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One bright spot to note.

The Bulls are undefeated at home so far this season, so that bodes well for our first two game winning streak. For the Bulls to win tonight, they will have to share the ball like they did last night…the first game against the Cavs, the offense was terrible with very little ball movement and a lot of players looking to shoot first, pass second.

Any word on Hinrich or Gooden’s injuries? I know Kirk is scheduled to have an MRI today…Gooden’s ankle didn’t look that serious last night.

"The whole leverage thing, it's a difficult thing to gauge" -Paxson

by Dionysus2.0 on Nov 8, 2008 9:42 AM CST   0 recs

Here is the latest as of 9:55 AM

The Chicago Sun-Times reports

Hinrich (five assists and five of the team’s season-high 15 steals) left the game with 7:51 to go in the third quarter with a sprained right thumb; he is scheduled for an MRI exam today. Drew Gooden was limited to 22½ minutes with a sore right ankle, the result of a collision with Ben Gordon in the second quarter. He is questionable tonight when the Bulls host the Cleveland Cavaliers.

by chgobr on Nov 8, 2008 9:55 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Does this mean that Thabo will start again?

I hope VDN selects BG

Please Pax, don't trade Hughes! Just make sure that he stays injured until... 2010!!!

by bull83 on Nov 8, 2008 11:25 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Probably should at this point

but Thabo will pick up 2 quick fouls anyway.

Have to respect the start BG has gotten off to. The man is shooting 49% from both the field and 3-PT land. He’s almost averaging 4 assists as well. He and Rose will get more accumstomed to each other as well.

by messwiththebull on Nov 8, 2008 2:51 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Gordon's assist stats

are a pleasant surprise. He still needs to work on his shot selection (tho last night they were falling from anywhere), but his assist numbers still show he isn’t being completely selfish with the ball.

Everything I post is speculation. I have no insider information nor ideas deemed concrete enough by those who are self-elected to regulate post content.

by cranscape on Nov 8, 2008 3:23 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Please Please Please

Start Rose/BG/Deng/Tyrus/Noah.

When I watch NBA games I often call the fouls before the referees do. Sometimes it’s a gift. Most of the time it's troublesome. - NBA Observer

by Illini15 on Nov 8, 2008 11:34 AM CST   0 recs

That's the best line-up

The Bulls have to offer

by Edicus2288i on Nov 8, 2008 11:44 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Fingers cross

But why do I have de feeling that Gray is going to start? humm…

Please Pax, don't trade Hughes! Just make sure that he stays injured until... 2010!!!

by bull83 on Nov 8, 2008 12:04 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

I go with Gooden over Thomas,

but sure. T2 looked great coming off the bench last night.

The poster formerly known as Freethefro.

by MPG on Nov 8, 2008 12:18 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

If Gooden is able to go

he’ll definitely being starting.
I just hope he stays at PF rather then C.

by Edicus2288i on Nov 8, 2008 12:40 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

agreed

the post players play better at their natural positions. Thomas and Gooden at PF, Noah and Gray at C. If that was how playing time was doled out going forward, i’d be happy, even though I’m not a huge fan of Gray. I think the team is more productive with Gooden and Thomas exclusively at the 4.

by DangerMouse on Nov 8, 2008 2:33 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Definately the best lineup

Noc aint too bad for D andnmaybe Gooden in spare minutes…you know he would love to show his old team up

"You’re caught up in basketball. Get caught up in life" - Starbury's Head Tattoo

by Belize on Nov 8, 2008 4:06 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Cranscape and I talked about this, after the 2nd game I think

The Bulls didn’t have a winning streak last year, as in, they never had more than 2 consecutive wins.

Hopefully with the injuries VDN will start the dream lineup. If he starts Sefolosha, after giving him 5 minutes last night, then I might have to shoot someone.

by NittanyCub on Nov 8, 2008 3:01 PM CST   0 recs

You called?

Last year the Bulls were all about one step forward and two or three or four back. They have a lot of home games in the near future so now would be the best time to string together a few wins. And yes, even have a streak in there (I still can’t believe we didn’t do that last year. We were just that bad.). If we have our best players out there from the word go we should be able to make it a contest at least. What we should have learned the last time we played them and from the Magic game is that it is exhausting to continually be clawing our way out of a hole all game. It will wear down even the best players we have if they are continually put in that deficit situation.

Everything I post is speculation. I have no insider information nor ideas deemed concrete enough by those who are self-elected to regulate post content.

by cranscape on Nov 8, 2008 3:31 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

yea this should be interesting

i cant wait to see how the line ups will look like. lets just hope we’ll have big bodies in there for most of the game so that ben wallace doesnt make us look bad grabbing boards. i say get more minutes to noah since he and wallace got along so well here last season. and on a side note to chgobr, the cavs played the pacers yesterday not the bucks.

It aint easy bein' Piatkowski

by Yibs on Nov 8, 2008 3:38 PM CST   0 recs

The main objectives are to

1) Try to contain LeBron
2) Try to contain LeBron
3) Not throw the remote at the TV when Aaron Gray is introduced as “the man in the middle”

"MUAHAHAHA." - Evil Pax

by Evil Pax on Nov 8, 2008 3:54 PM CST   0 recs

4) not have Hinrich guard 6'8'' 260 lb Manchild

His stats are as good as Fields -- that's the sad thing

by Jbasic89 on Nov 8, 2008 3:58 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Kirk is hurt...

for 12 weeks, so, Objective #4 is Accomplished!

by kidronmusic on Nov 8, 2008 6:30 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Deng and Thomas should gaurd Lebron all night

Lebron on Noc or Gooden is possession + lebron + drive + shot + foul = 3 points.

Maybe a little bit of Thabo. But the primary objective is to get the ball out of Lebrons hands. He can’t do anything without the basketball.

In a trust with Vinny Del Negro.

by NBA Observer on Nov 8, 2008 4:24 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Lebron is gonna get his

I’d be happy if they were able to execute the same gameplan as yesterday when they were able to shut down everyone but Amare.

by RogersPark Kris on Nov 8, 2008 5:18 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

F*k Bron Bron

Go Bulls!

FYI for Boxing fans….big fight 2nite =)

"You’re caught up in basketball. Get caught up in life" - Starbury's Head Tattoo

by Belize on Nov 8, 2008 4:04 PM CST   0 recs

It's a horrid fight.

Big . . . but horrid.

I have to order it anyways cause I’m a fanatic.

Ughh

by Option27 on Nov 8, 2008 4:27 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Not sure if this was posted, but

Sam Smith of the Chicago Bulls says Gooden isn’t expected to play tonight

Also, Drew Gooden, who sprained his ankle in Friday’s game, didn’t practice with the team when they showed up for their pregame shootaround at the United Center just before the game instead of earlier in the day at the Berto Center. Gooden also wasn’t expected to play Saturday against the Cavs.

But hopefully there’s a difference between “wasn’t” and “isn’t.”

"MUAHAHAHA." - Evil Pax

by Evil Pax on Nov 8, 2008 6:17 PM CST   0 recs

we can only hope for the best

and prepare for the worst (31 minutes from Gray)

"MUAHAHAHA." - Evil Pax

by Evil Pax on Nov 8, 2008 6:23 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

And Hinrich is out as well. What a turn of events.

Hopefully this means TONS of Rose/Bg/Deng/Tyrus/Noah. Please Vinny???

When I watch NBA games I often call the fouls before the referees do. Sometimes it’s a gift. Most of the time it's troublesome. - NBA Observer

by Illini15 on Nov 8, 2008 6:19 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

I pray to God

Then it will show Vinny how to use this team

by Option27 on Nov 8, 2008 6:24 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Let's hope this is the result.

But I’m expecting some ridiculous starting lineup like Rose/Thabo/Deng/Noah/Gray

When I watch NBA games I often call the fouls before the referees do. Sometimes it’s a gift. Most of the time it's troublesome. - NBA Observer

by Illini15 on Nov 8, 2008 6:26 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

or tossing in Cedric Simmons

do to his familiarity to the Cavs offense (or lack thereof)

"MUAHAHAHA." - Evil Pax

by Evil Pax on Nov 8, 2008 6:30 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Anyone know if the Bulls can

sign any players to 10-day contracts because of the turn of events?

"MUAHAHAHA." - Evil Pax

by Evil Pax on Nov 8, 2008 6:26 PM CST   0 recs

hinrich out for about 12 weeks

according to bulls.com http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/injury_report.html

Thabo Sefolosha: His last name sounds like a disease, and his ballgame IS one.

by chibullsfan03 on Nov 8, 2008 6:27 PM CST   0 recs

gooden is not listed on the bulls injury report above

and it was updated around 5:30 tonight. so who knows.

Thabo Sefolosha: His last name sounds like a disease, and his ballgame IS one.

by chibullsfan03 on Nov 8, 2008 6:28 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

WOW. NOT GOOD.
CHICAGO — Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich needs surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb and will miss up to three months.

The injury occurred during Chicago’s 100-83 victory over Phoenix on Friday.

Hinrich, making his first start, was injured in the third quarter and left the game with five points, five assists and five steals. The Bulls initially called it a sprain, but an exam before Saturday night’s game against Cleveland revealed a torn ulnar collateral ligament.

The surgery is scheduled for Tuesday.

In his sixth season, Hinrich is averaging 8.3 points and 4.0 assists. The Bulls drafted Derrick Rose with the No. 1 pick, and Thabo Sefolosha started the first five games at shooting guard with Hinrich in a reserve role. But coach Vinny Del Negro juggled the lineup on Friday, with Hinrich replacing the struggling Sefolosha.

by Option27 on Nov 8, 2008 6:41 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Yeah there's already a fanshot about this actually

When I watch NBA games I often call the fouls before the referees do. Sometimes it’s a gift. Most of the time it's troublesome. - NBA Observer

by Illini15 on Nov 8, 2008 6:42 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Not good news for Kirk.

I feel bad for him.

by sue369 on Nov 8, 2008 6:35 PM CST   0 recs

Yeah, I do feel bad for him as well. 3 months is a hefty amount of time.

When I watch NBA games I often call the fouls before the referees do. Sometimes it’s a gift. Most of the time it's troublesome. - NBA Observer

by Illini15 on Nov 8, 2008 6:42 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

It does suck. :/

He’s been playing decently.
Hopefully he recovers faster than expected.

by Prevenge on Nov 8, 2008 6:42 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

We needed him in our Rose/Gordon/Hinrich

box out of Hughes. That was my master plan at least. Suck!

Hopefully he takes whatever meds Hughes has been taking for his magical recovery.

Everything I post is speculation. I have no insider information nor ideas deemed concrete enough by those who are self-elected to regulate post content.

by cranscape on Nov 8, 2008 6:44 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

He seemed pretty down

on Sports NIte a few minutes ago. I think he had adjusted to his new role well too. Damn!

by sue369 on Nov 8, 2008 6:47 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

At least Ben finally starts!
Gordon will get his first start of the season Saturday night against the Cavaliers now that Kirk Hinrich needs thumb surgery and Thabo Sefolosha has fallen out of the rotation.

KC reporting

by Option27 on Nov 8, 2008 6:46 PM CST   0 recs

THANK YOU LORD

When I watch NBA games I often call the fouls before the referees do. Sometimes it’s a gift. Most of the time it's troublesome. - NBA Observer

by Illini15 on Nov 8, 2008 6:48 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Yay!

We need him to make a good showing. No matter how you feel about Gordon he is still a better option than the other guards at this point. Hinrich was the only guy left with a legit argument.

Everything I post is speculation. I have no insider information nor ideas deemed concrete enough by those who are self-elected to regulate post content.

by cranscape on Nov 8, 2008 6:51 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Exactly

If him and Rose work well together (which they should), that should end the chances of Hughes cracking the lineup

by Option27 on Nov 8, 2008 6:52 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

so the current depth chart (subject to change due to VDN's nature)

PG Rose
SG Gordon/Sefolosha
SF Deng/Nocioni
PF Gooden/Thomas
C Gray/Noah (or Noah/Gray?)

Garbage duty: Nichols, Simmons
Injured: Hinrich, Hughes

At least an 9-man rotation will at least allow for a good amount of PT (hopefully)

"MUAHAHAHA." - Evil Pax

by Evil Pax on Nov 8, 2008 6:47 PM CST   0 recs

Hughes will be back

this coming week and willbe gunning for his starting spot back.

by sue369 on Nov 8, 2008 6:49 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

(shudders)

"MUAHAHAHA." - Evil Pax

by Evil Pax on Nov 8, 2008 6:49 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

We got the roster down the hard way it seems.

Everything I post is speculation. I have no insider information nor ideas deemed concrete enough by those who are self-elected to regulate post content.

by cranscape on Nov 8, 2008 6:51 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Don't the Bull have now THREE open roster spots?

Better start looking for a guard unless they actually think Hughes/Thabo can contribute. Sure wish they hadn’t pulled BG’s offer off the table.

by hhirb on Nov 8, 2008 6:47 PM CST   0 recs

hinrich is hurt

he isn’t dead. BG’s contract doesn’t really affect the Kirk situation.

by DangerMouse on Nov 8, 2008 6:51 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

I just think Rose, Gordon, Hinrich is a great rotation

but we won’t have Hinrich much this year and probably won’t have Gordon after this year. So where are we going forward?

by hhirb on Nov 8, 2008 6:54 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

I think it's clear they think Hughes can contribute. Sadly.

When I watch NBA games I often call the fouls before the referees do. Sometimes it’s a gift. Most of the time it's troublesome. - NBA Observer

by Illini15 on Nov 8, 2008 6:54 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Who cares

To me, all this means is MORE DERRICK ROSE!

by Option27 on Nov 8, 2008 6:55 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

and more BG. Which means lots of time for our best guards.

Finally!

When I watch NBA games I often call the fouls before the referees do. Sometimes it’s a gift. Most of the time it's troublesome. - NBA Observer

by Illini15 on Nov 8, 2008 6:59 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Yes!

We should pick up a back up PG though

I don’t wanna put too much of a load on Derrick

by Option27 on Nov 8, 2008 7:01 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

yeah last thing we need

is for him to re-aggravate his sore tendon

"MUAHAHAHA." - Evil Pax

by Evil Pax on Nov 8, 2008 7:03 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

We could probably

get Washington back from preseason?
He played well.

by Prevenge on Nov 8, 2008 7:03 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

OK,

actually he’s playing in Europe.
Drat.
Oh well. Maybe someone else. Can’t think.

by Prevenge on Nov 8, 2008 7:04 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

YES!!

BG is starting!!!!!!!!! just announced on Comcast!!!!!!!

by kpop7 on Nov 8, 2008 7:09 PM CST   0 recs

oh..

someone already said that

by kpop7 on Nov 8, 2008 7:10 PM CST   0 recs

Without Hinrich, they have 13 on the roster

that leaves two spots and they need to begin planning on life without Gordon. Maybe Hughes and or Thabo for somebody who would fit in with Rose and the direction of the team.

by hhirb on Nov 8, 2008 7:11 PM CST   0 recs

Stooge had yesterday's game on.

That is where I’ll be looking first. It came in very well for me compared to other feeds.

nba.com braodband is typically blacked out for me for some reason so I have to use secondary sources.

Everything I post is speculation. I have no insider information nor ideas deemed concrete enough by those who are self-elected to regulate post content.

by cranscape on Nov 8, 2008 7:25 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Awesome

The only one I knew of was JustinTV

Thanks

by Option27 on Nov 8, 2008 7:27 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

go to stoogetv.com

menu over to “channels”, on the channels page click channel 2, put in the password “stoogetv.com” and you are in.

Everything I post is speculation. I have no insider information nor ideas deemed concrete enough by those who are self-elected to regulate post content.

by cranscape on Nov 8, 2008 7:31 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

I never bothered with it in the past

but I lost comcast in my cable package and unless it is on WGN America or ESPN I have to watch it this way since for some reason Bulls games are typically blacked out for me on nba.com.

Everything I post is speculation. I have no insider information nor ideas deemed concrete enough by those who are self-elected to regulate post content.

by cranscape on Nov 8, 2008 7:32 PM CST to parent up   0 recs